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Related Concept Videos

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes01:29

Structure and Function of Erythrocytes

There are between 4.2 and 6 million erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, in every microliter of blood. These cells are small, flattened biconcave discs with centers that are depressed.
The erythrocyte plasma membrane is associated with proteins such as spectrin, which forms a flexible cytoplasmic meshwork. This meshwork allows erythrocytes to twist, turn, become cup-shaped, and regain their biconcave shape as they pass through narrow capillaries. Additionally, erythrocytes can form...
Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer01:35

Asymmetric Lipid Bilayer

Biological membranes show uneven distribution of different types of lipids in the inner and outer layers, resulting in transverse asymmetric membranes. The treatment of the erythrocyte membrane with the enzyme phospholipase confirmed the asymmetric nature of the lipid bilayer. The enzyme hydrolyzes lipids into fatty acids and hydrophilic groups. The phospholipase acts only on the outer layer of the membrane, while the inner layer remains intact. The phospholipase treatment resulted in 80%...
Lifecycle of Erythrocytes01:22

Lifecycle of Erythrocytes

Erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, constantly move through blood capillaries. As a result, they damage their plasma membrane due to the continuous friction. Typically, after 100 to 120 days, erythrocytes become rigid and fragile as they wear out. As they pass through small vessels in the spleen and liver, they can get trapped and break apart into fragments.
The resident phagocytic macrophages deal with these damaged cells by engulfing them and separating their globin and heme groups.
Membrane Carbohydrates01:30

Membrane Carbohydrates

The plasma membrane is a dynamic barrier composed of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is the epicenter of many cellular processes required for cell growth and survival. Carbohydrates have unique structural and chemical properties that help the plasma membrane to carry out its functions effectively.
Membrane carbohydrates do not have any hydrophobic region and are exclusively located on the cell's outer surface. The addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins happens in...
Membrane Carbohydrates01:30

Membrane Carbohydrates

The plasma membrane is a dynamic barrier composed of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. It is the epicenter of many cellular processes required for cell growth and survival. Carbohydrates have unique structural and chemical properties that help the plasma membrane to carry out its functions effectively.
Membrane carbohydrates do not have any hydrophobic region and are exclusively located on the cell's outer surface. The addition of sugar molecules or glycosylation of proteins happens in...
What are Membranes?01:24

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...

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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore
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Published on: January 21, 2020

An overview about erythrocyte membrane.

Sofia de Oliveira1, Carlota Saldanha

  • 1Unidade de Biologia Microvascular e Inflamação, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Instituto de Bioquímica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. sloliveira@fm.ul.pt

Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|February 6, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are now known to express surface adhesion molecules. Further research into these molecules may reveal new biological roles for these cells.

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Identification and Analysis of Mouse Erythroid Progenitors using the CD71/TER119 Flow-cytometric Assay
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Induction of Eryptosis in Red Blood Cells Using a Calcium Ionophore
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Published on: August 5, 2011

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Hematology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Erythrocytes (red blood cells) were historically studied for metabolism and gas transport.
  • Recent advancements in methodologies like proteomics have revitalized interest in erythrocytes.
  • New insights are emerging regarding the erythrocyte's cellular membrane composition and organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of the erythrocyte cellular membrane.
  • To highlight the unexpected discovery of adhesion molecules on the erythrocyte surface.
  • To explore the potential biological significance of these adhesion molecules.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent proteomic analyses.
  • Analysis of cellular membrane composition and organization.
  • Comparison with adhesion molecule expression in other cell types.

Main Results:

  • Detailed understanding of erythrocyte membrane structure and components.
  • Identification of various adhesion molecules expressed on the erythrocyte surface.
  • Recognition of erythrocytes sharing characteristics with other blood and endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

  • Erythrocytes possess a complex cellular membrane with previously unrecognized features.
  • The presence of adhesion molecules suggests novel functions for erythrocytes beyond gas transport.
  • Further investigation into erythrocyte adhesion molecules could expand our understanding of cell interactions and biological significance.